Container device with rotating member connected rotatably to a container

ABSTRACT

A container device includes a container having a wall that defines an accommodating space therein, and a rotating member connected rotatably to an outer surface of the wall of the container.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 092201285, filed on Jan. 23, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a container device, and more particularly to a container device that includes a rotating member connected rotatably to a container.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Normally, a conventional container is used solely to contain articles or liquid, and is monotonous in appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of this invention is to provide a container device that has an attractive and interesting structure.

[0007] According to this invention, a container device includes a container having a wall that defines an accommodating space therein, and a rotating member connected rotatably to an outer surface of the wall of the container so as to make the structure of the container device attractive and interesting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the first preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0012]FIG. 5 illustrates the fourth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0013]FIG. 6 illustrates the fifth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0014]FIG. 7 illustrates the sixth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0015]FIG. 8 illustrates the seven preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0016]FIG. 9 illustrates the eighth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0017]FIG. 10 illustrates the ninth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0018]FIG. 11 illustrates the tenth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0019]FIG. 12 illustrates the eleventh preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0020]FIG. 13 illustrates the twelfth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0021]FIG. 14 illustrates the thirteenth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0022]FIG. 15 illustrates the fourteenth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0023]FIG. 16 illustrates the fifteenth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0024]FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the sixteenth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention;

[0025]FIG. 19 illustrates the seventeenth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention; and

[0026]FIG. 20 illustrates the eighteenth preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Before the present invention is described in greater detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that similar elements and structures are designated by like reference numerals throughout the entire disclosure.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention is shown to include a container 11 and a rotating member 12. The container 11 is shaped as a cup, and has a cylindrical wall 111 that defines an accommodating space 112 therein and that is formed with an annular outer surface 113, and an integral shaft 114 that extends radially and outwardly therefrom and that has an enlarged outer end 115. The rotating member 12 has a central hole 121, and is shaped as a vertical disk that is sleeved rotatably around the shaft 114 and that is confined between the enlarged outer end 115 of the shaft 114 and the annular surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11. As such, the rotating member 12 is rotatable about a rotating axis that extends along a radial direction of the wall 111 of the container 11. A plurality of numerals 122 are indicated on an outer surface of the rotating member 12, and are arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotating member 12.

[0029] Interconnection structure between the container 11 and the rotating member 12 can be changed. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11 is formed with a circular restricting cavity 116. The center of the rotating member 12 is formed with an integral shaft 123 that has an enlarged round end 124 which is confined within and which is disposed rotatably within the cavity 116 in the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11.

[0030] The structure of the container 11 can be modified into a penholder shown in FIG. 4, a stationery case shown in FIG. 5 that includes two rotating members 12 each sleeved rotatably around a horizontal shaft 114 on a planar vertical outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11, a water bottle shown in FIG. 6, a beverage bottle shown in FIG. 7, a vase shown in FIG. 8, and a toothbrush/toothpaste holder shown in FIG. 9.

[0031]FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in construction except that the circular restricting cavity 116 is formed in a generally semi-spherical coupling member 13 that is press fitted within a circular hole 117 in the wall 111 of the container 11.

[0032]FIG. 11 shows another preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in construction except that the shaft 114 has an inner end that is opposite to the enlarged outer end 115 and that is formed with an integral mounting portion 114′ which is shaped as a vertical plate, and which is adhered to the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11. The area of the mounting portion 114′ can be increased, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0033]FIG. 13 shows another preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 in construction except that the mounting portion 114′ of the shaft 114 is shaped as a hollow cylinder which is mounted adhesively within a circular recess 118 in the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11. The position of the hollow cylindrical mounting portion 114′ of the shaft 114 can be changed, as shown in FIG. 14, in which the mounting portions 114′ is shaped as a cap that is sleeved around an open upper end of the container 11 in a tight fit manner. The shaft 114 extends upwardly from the center of the cap such that the rotating member 12 is shaped as a horizontal disk that is sleeved rotatably around the shaft 114 and that is confined between the enlarged outer end 115 and the mounting portion 114′ of the shaft 114.

[0034]FIG. 15 shows another preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which includes a container 11 that is formed with a circular recess 118 and an annular groove 119, and a rotating member 12 that is formed with an outer flange 123. The circular recess 118 is formed in the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11. The annular groove 119 is formed in a portion of the wall 111 of the container 11 defining the circular recess 118. The rotating member 12 is shaped as a vertical disk, and is received rotatably within the circular recess 118. The outer flange 123 of the rotating member 12 is received rotatably within the annular groove 119 in the wall 111 of the container 11.

[0035]FIG. 16 shows another preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in construction except for the addition of a transparent cover 14. The transparent cover 14 is press fitted within a recess 118 in the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11 so as to cover the rotating member 12.

[0036]FIGS. 17 and 18 show another preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 in construction except for the addition of an air valve unit 15 and which includes a deeper circular recess 118 and a smaller-sized transparent cover 14. The air valve unit 15 includes an air valve 151 disposed within the wall 111 of the container 11 and having an air spray port 152 directed toward an annular surface 125 of a periphery of the rotating member 12, and a spring-biased push rod 153 mounted operably on the wall 111 of the container 11 and operable to force air from the spray port 152 of the air valve 151 toward the annular surface 125 of the rotating member 12 so as to rotate the rotating member 12 within the circular recess 118 in the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11.

[0037]FIG. 19 shows another preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 in construction except for the addition of an annular groove 113′, a transparent annular cover 16, a liquid 17, a plurality of movable bodies 18, a liquid valve 19, and a spring-biased push rod 20. The annular groove 113′ is formed in the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11. The transparent annular cover 16 is attached fixedly to the wall 111 of the container 11 so as to cover the annular groove 113′ in the outer surface 113 of the wall 111 of the container 11, thereby defining a liquid channel 21 between the wall 111 of the container 11 and the transparent annular cover 16. The channel 21 is filled with the liquid 17. The movable bodies 18 are disposed movably within the 17 in the channel 21. The liquid valve 19 is disposed within the wall 111 of the container 11, and is in fluid communication with the liquid channel 21. The spring-biased push rod 20 is mounted operably on the wall 111 of the container 11, and is operable to create a liquid current within the channel 21 so as to move the movable bodies 18 in the channel 21.

[0038]FIG. 20 shows another preferred embodiment of a container device according to this invention, which includes a container 11 that has a container body 110, a base 110′, and a post 110″ having two ends connected respectively to the container body 110 and the base 110′. The rotating member 12 is shaped as a horizontal disk that is sleeved rotatably around the post 110″.

[0039] With this invention thus explained, it is apparent that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. It is therefore intended that this invention be limited only as indicated by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A container device comprising: a container having a wall that defines an accommodating space therein and that is formed with an outer surface; and a rotating member connected rotatably to said outer surface of said wall of said container.
 2. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall of said container is cylindrical, said outer surface of said wall of said container being annular, said rotating member being rotatable about a rotating axis that extends along a radial direction of said wall of said container.
 3. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said wall of said container is planar, said rotating member being rotatable about a rotating axis that is perpendicular to said outer surface of said wall of said container.
 4. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said wall of said container is formed with a shaft that has an enlarged outer end, said rotating member being shaped as a vertical disk that is sleeved rotatably around said shaft and that is confined between said enlarged outer end of said shaft and said outer surface of said wall of said container.
 5. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said wall of said container is formed with a circular restricting cavity, said rotating member being shaped as a disk and having a center that is formed with an integral shaft which has an enlarged round end that is confined within and that is disposed rotatably within said cavity in said outer surface of said wall of said container.
 6. The container device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a generally semi-spherical coupling member that is mounted removably on said wall of said container and that is formed with a circular restricting cavity, said rotating member being shaped as a disk and being formed with an integral shaft which has an enlarged round end that is confined within and that is disposed rotatably within said cavity in said coupling member.
 7. The container device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said wall of said container is formed with a circular hole therethrough, said coupling member being press fitted within said circular hole in said wall of said container.
 8. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said wall of said container is formed with a circular recess, said shaft having an inner end that is opposite to said enlarged outer end and that is formed integrally with a hollow cylindrical mounting portion which is mounted adhesively within said circular recess in said outer surface of said wall of said container.
 9. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container has an open upper end, said container device further comprising a cap that is sleeved around said upper end of said container in a tight fit manner and that is formed with an integral shaft which extends upwardly from a center of said cap and which has an enlarged outer end, said rotating member being shaped as a horizontal disk that is sleeved around said shaft and that is confined between said enlarged outer end of said shaft and said cap.
 10. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said wall of said container is formed with a circular recess, a portion of said wall of said container defining said circular recess being formed with an annular groove, said rotating member being shaped as a disk that is received rotatably within said circular recess and that is formed with an outer flange which is received rotatably within said annular groove in said wall of said container.
 11. The container device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transparent cover that is attached removably to said wall of said container so as to cover said rotating member.
 12. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said wall of said container is formed with a circular recess, said rotating member being shaped as a disk that is disposed rotatably within said circular recess in said outer surface of said wall of said container and that has an annular surface along a periphery thereof, said container device further comprising: an air valve disposed within said wall of said container and having an air spray port that is directed toward said annular surface of said rotating member; and a spring-biased push rod mounted operably on said wall of said container and operable to force air from said spray port of said air valve toward said annular surface of said rotating member so as to rotate said rotating member within said recess in said outer surface of said wall of said container.
 13. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said wall of said container is formed with an annular groove, said container device further comprising: a transparent annular cover attached fixedly to said wall of said container so as to cover said annular groove in said outer surface of said wall of said container, thereby defining a liquid channel therebetween; a liquid filling said liquid channel; a movable body disposed movably within said liquid in said liquid channel; a liquid valve disposed within said wall of said container and in fluid communication with said liquid channel; and a spring-biased push rod mounted operably on said wall of said container and operable to create a liquid current within said liquid channel so as to move said movable body in said liquid channel.
 14. The container device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said container has a container body, a base, and a post having upper and lower ends connected respectively to said container body and said base, said rotating member being shaped as a horizontal disk that is sleeved rotatably around said post. 